ModernHealthJournal.com

11 Ways to Get Well Soon - The Best Homemade and Natural Cold Remedies

 October 25, 2018 - Reading time: 19 minutes

Let's face it: nobody likes getting sick. You're miserable, sleep deprived, and generally achy and uncomfortable the whole time. So, if there are ways to help make your cold go away faster - or better yet, protect yourself from getting sick in the first place - wouldn't you do it? The following home remedies are simple, cheap, and made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen right now.

Now, we aren't suggesting home remedies should replace the competent advice of your primary care physician. However, using them alongside whatever your doctor recommends may help boost your immune system so you can fight off that cold faster. These 10 remedies are said to shorten the duration and severity of a cold. You can also use them preventatively, to help protect you from getting sick in the first place. Get ready to battle your way through sick season with any of the tried-and-true homeopathic remedies below.

#1  The Most Versatile Cure: Apple Cider Vinegar

You may have noticed an interesting trend on the internet lately: people everywhere are singing the praises of apple cider vinegar. Often touted as a universal "cure-all," people use apple cider vinegar for a wide number of things - from dry hair to weight loss to gut health and more. Now, home remedy experts are insisting apple cider vinegar can also prevent or lessen symptoms of the common cold.

It does so in surprising ways, too. Apple cider vinegar can give your immune system an extra boost by improving gut health. If you're currently scratching your head and asking yourself - "What does my gut has have to do with catching a cold?" - you're not alone. It's only within the last decade or so that scientists have discovered the connection between immune response and gut health.

The science on this connection can get a little complicated, but here's the quick and dirty version. When your gut health is weak, it triggers chronic inflammation. When your immune system is constantly diverting its resources to attack an unhealthy gut, there isn't much left over to fight off a cold or a flu. Because apple cider vinegar is a fermented food product, digesting it can infuse your system with fresh supplies of healthy gut bacteria - AKA, probiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms that live in your digestive tract and reduce inflammation all over your body, but they're especially good at strengthening your gut health. These little guys are basically the commandos of your digestive tract. They swoop in, take out the bad guys, and make your gut a better place. Apple cider vinegar can have a rather pungent taste and smell, so some people prefer getting it through a supplement like Ultimate ACV. This way you could get all the benefits of apple cider vinegar, minus the funky aftertaste.

#2  The Most Flavorful Cure: Ginger

All you ginger lovers out there are about to have a much better winter. Infusing your homemade cold remedy with ginger helps your immune system fight that much harder against it. Similar to apple cider vinegar, ginger helps reduce chronic inflammation so that your immune system can do its job. It also helps reduce a lot of the yucky mucus that can build up in your lungs and sinuses.  

#3  The Nicest Smelling Cure: Citrus

It's pretty common knowledge these days that if you're looking to strengthen your immune system, you want to get a healthy dose of vitamin C in your diet. The good news is, it's a lot easier than you think. Many fruits and vegetables are rich in this nutrient. Try adding a little lemon juice or orange zest to a hot cup of tea. Or, check out these delicious vitamin C-rich recipes.

 

#4  The Not-So-Nicest Smelling Cure: Garlic

We have good news and bad news: the good news is that this flavorful, popular food is a great way to protect yourself from getting sick. The bad news, unfortunately, is that you have to eat it raw in order to get maximum benefits. When raw garlic is cut, sliced, or mashed, a chemical reaction produces a natural antioxidant called allicin. Unfortunately, when the garlic is exposed to heat, it destroys the allicin.

The easiest way to get raw garlic into your diet when fighting off a flu is to add it to a homemade salad dressing. Or whip up some fresh pesto. You may also want to consider taking a garlic supplement. A supplement may not be a home remedy, but it's still a natural way to go. Here are some tasty recipes which feature raw garlic.

#5  The Wackiest Cure: Cold, Wet Socks

This may sound like a strange cure, but hear us out. The idea is, when you're exposed to uncomfortably cold temperatures, your body emits something called "cold shock proteins". These proteins are said to boost your immune system. They may even release endorphins in your brain, improving mood so at least you can feel little better while you're sick.

Start by giving yourself a warm foot bath, then put on a pair of socks that have been soaked in cold water and wrung out until they're no longer dripping. Then, put on a thicker pair of socks on top of those. We suggest doing this at bedtime, because the cold temperature on your feet will also help you sleep better. Wear them for at least ten minutes, or overnight if they're not too cold.

#6  The Sweetest Cure: Honey

Incorporating raw, organic honey in your homemade cold remedy can help you get back on your feet that much faster. Pure, raw honey is known to improve immune function. That's because it contains natural antimicrobial extracts which help you fight off those winter bugs. It can also be great for soothing a sore or irritated throat. Add to tea with some fresh squeezed lemon for a soothing warm beverage. Or drizzle over toast for a simple meal that's easy on the stomach.

#7  A Cure from Down Under: Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil ain't just for koalas anymore. It works the same way a vapor rub from the drugstore would, minus the dangerous chemicals you get from a manufactured product. Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil into a bowl of warm water and inhale the steam to clear up nasal and respiratory congestion.

#8  An East Asian Cure: Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms contain many bioactive compounds that help fight off disease. Lentinan is the most powerful one, especially when you're talking about viral infections. Also, unlike garlic, you don't have to worry about eating it raw. Exposing the mushrooms to heat won't destroy the lentinan, so feel free to add them to your favorite warm, yummy soup. Try this shiitake chicken soup recipe for a twist on mom's classic.

 

#9  The 'Spices are Everything Nice' Cure

Various spices, such as cayenne and cinnamon, are also great additions to any natural cold remedy. Cayenne (or any spice which contains capsaicin for that matter) helps increase circulation, flushing the virus out of your system more quickly. Cinnamon, like honey, has antibacterial compounds that help your immune system do its job and kill harmful bacteria.

#10  Our Favorite Cure: Sleep!

Although our busy schedules might lead us to believe otherwise, the human body needs sleep. When you sleep, your body takes time to clean house from head to toe, flushing away toxins and fighting disease. If you don't believe us, then ask yourself: have you ever been sick, woken up feeling better the next morning, but back to miserable again as the day wears on? Being awake means taking energy away from your immune system, which makes you heal slower. So don't skimp on the rest! If you have trouble sleeping, try drinking some chamomile tea, or spray a lavender mist on your pillow before bedtime.

#11  The Most Important Cure of All...

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do to get over a cold or flu is to listen to your body. Yes, your daily responsibilities may sometimes make it difficult to take care of yourself. But if you feel like you're pushing your body past its limits, whether physically or mentally (or both), slow down and take the time to give your body what it needs to relax and recuperate. The less time you spend being sick, the more time you can devote to friends, family, success at work, and just being awesome in general! Remember to be responsible when it comes to taking care of yourself. If your symptoms are severe, it is recommended to get checked out by a physician - especially if they do not improve within a few days. So take care of yourself, and listen carefully to what your body is telling you!